There she was, sitting by the pier was the fiery redhead. As Matthew got closer to her he saw just how depressed she looked. Where was her spark? What happened to her?! Matthew thought.
He almost thought wrong redhead but when she turned her head and wiped away a tear, he knew it was her and she's crying!
Now shy, quiet Matthew Cuthbert wasn't one to comfort the opposite sex, he wasn't even sure what to say when Marilla broke down when Michael and mother died. Oh how I should've been there! Why couldn't I be strong like her?! I have to go say something to her or I'm not worthy of even having a child.
He walked up to her and she looked up at him and he saw just how damaged she was. Her face had a bruise across one cheek and a long cut on the forehead. She looked as though she had gotten into a fight.
"What are you doing here?" The tone of her voice was mechanical. Like she didn't care what he said. He prayed he wouldn't be a coward and leave. What kind of father would he be?
"Anne I...I need you in my life." She just looked at him confused. Really Matthew! He thought to himself. That's what you have to say?!
" I...um..." He cleared his throat
"Anne, ever since you came to Green Gables, you brightened my life. Finally someone to lighten the place, something to look forward to coming home to. Why didn't I tell you we had sent for a boy on that ride home? It's because I'm a coward, Anne. I wasn't there when Marilla needed me most either. And because of that she felt alone and so has shut herself up. But she needs you just as much. She was so heartbroken when the broach went missing. She wanted to keep you. She talked to Rachel about it and she said " You can't keep a thief, Marilla. What would the reverend say?" So that's why. When she found it in her room she was so happy! She came running out to the fields and after telling me what happened I saddled up and went to find you," He breathed.
That was probably the most amount of words Matthew had spoken in years. Anne looked at him.
"I don't need a family. I have me. That's all I'll ever need."
She started to cry. He could tell she was unsure of what she just said and he suddenly wrapped her in his large arms and hugged her tight. For her part, she had never been given any love and she melted into his arms.
"Anne, I know you want to believe that. But deep down inside you do need love. Humans were made to be loved. Marilla and I need love. And we need YOUR love. Please come home with us Anne. Your my daughter."
She looked up at him. Her large glassy eyes staring into the depths of his.
" I...I want to believe you. But how can I trust you?"
" I don't know. You'll just have to."
So father and daughter walked to the train station hand in hand. Both feeling very opposite feelings. Matthew was thrilled. He'd gotten his girl back! Anne was scared. How could she trust these people? All the adults she'd ever known and been with had hurt her in some way or another. But for now they'd just have to take it day by day.
Marilla sank into one of the kitchen chairs in despair. Why did she follow Rachel's advice? Because of that she'd lost her whole family. Family? Yes, Anne was a part of the family.
Whinnying brought her out of her thoughts. She jumped out of her chair and ran to the front yard. There seated on the black horse was Matthew and Anne. She started to cry. She now realised that, within the week they were gone, that the most important things in her life were the people on that horse.
Anne jumped down and was surprised when Marilla came and picked her up crying all the while.
"Anne, I didn't know how much I needed you! I'm so sorry!"
Then she looked down at the redhead and studied her for a second. What had happened to her? She was thinner than before and she had a cut and bruise on her face!
" What happened to you?!"
Anne was taken aback by Marillas show of affection. But she snuggled into Marilla and decided she liked being loved.
"Oh... Emm... Well there are these girls at the orphanage who were always vexed at me. I never understood it. I got the bruise because one of them hit me. And I got the cut when they slammed my cheek into the wall."
Marilla looked absolutely disgusted." If I had only known Anne."
Matthew had stuck around for Anne's explanation but now he said in his shy quiet manner
" I'm going to the barn. Have tea ready when I get back." He figured Marilla and Anne needed some time alone.
When they walked into the kitchen the first thing Marilla said was,
" You need to be fattened up. Why are you thinner than when you were last here?"
" I haven't eaten anything. I got in trouble for something I didn't do and they told me no food for a day. And then someone tripped me on purpose and I spilled the matrons tea and she was really mad and said no food for me for a week."
Marilla couldn't believe the living conditions! But after Anne said that she could hear a loud growl emitting from the child's stomach. She quickly bustled about the kitchen and put some stew in a bowl and gave it to Anne who scraped every last bit out of it.
"I'll give you more later. I don't want you to lose it all due to eating to fast."
Then she tended to Anne bruise and cut. " I'm sorry Anne, this may sting a little." When she was done, they sat down in the parlor.
Anne moved closer and closer to Marilla until she slowly climbed into Marillas lap. Cuddling Anne, Marilla thought back.
When I was younger I dreamed of cuddling little children of my own. Wait, she corrected herself. Anne IS my own. I didn't give birth to her. But I love her just the same.
Though she did realise, I never thought I'd be cuddling a sleeping redhaired thirteen year old. But then, she decided, I'm different than most people.
Looking at Anne sleeping in her arms she treasured this moment. Knowing that for once, Anne was getting the love she deserved.
Matthew walked into the kitchen later on. And when he saw that the tea wasn't ready,
he wondered. It wasn't like his sister to forget. What was she doing?
He walked out of the kitchen and into the parlor. Where the sight that met him warmed his heart.
Marilla sleeping in her rocking chair with Anne snuggled into her arms. Both looking so happy and peaceful. He sighed in content, and went to wash up.
I'm ready for this chapter of my life to end. I can't wait for this next one to start. He thought. This chapter will be filled with love, laughter and family. The three main things in this world that make life worth living.
AUTHORS NOTE: Always open to criticism and story ideas!
